June/July 2014 Pioneering Physics 150

buzz 2 VICE-PRINCIPAL'S VIEW FEATURE: EPS

Provost’s view

Our Chancellors have always been an integral part of the fabric of University life Provost and Vice-Principal, Professor Adam Tickell

As you will already know, Lord (Karan) Eden was the last of our Chancellors Bilimoria is to be the University of to have a political career, but not the last to YOUR BUZZ Birmingham’s seventh Chancellor. make a contribution to public life. Sir Peter The Chancellor is unpaid and the Scott (1973–83) was a founder of the Next edition 6 August 2014 responsibilities are simply to confer degrees World Wide Fund for Nature and the Copy deadline 11 July 2014 and chair the Annual Meeting of Court. Slimbridge wetlands sanctuary. Sir Alex However, whilst each has defined the Jarratt (1983–2002) had a distinguished Contact us [email protected] role differently, our Chancellors have always career in business but is best known been an integral part of the fabric of for authoring an inquiry into higher Buzz online University life. The first, Joseph Chamberlain, education that – whilst controversial at buzz.bham.ac.uk was probably England’s finest local the time – helped lay the foundations for politician and was the driving force behind the internationally recognised excellence Follow us on Twitter our foundation. The University, he said, of British universities that we take for twitter.com/buzzunibham would be: ‘A school of universal instruction, granted today. Find us on Facebook not confined to any particular knowledge Sir Dominic Cadbury (2002–2013) facebook.com/buzzunibham but taking all knowledge in its province. was Chairman of both Cadbury Schweppes A place in which those who come to teach and the Wellcome Trust. Dominic was an shall continue to learn and in which the exceptional Chancellor who saw himself as work, the most important work, of original an ambassador who could help to raise research shall be continuously carried on philanthropic support. Under Dominic’s under favourable circumstances.’ leadership and guidance, the University’s Edited by Rebecca Vowles On 12 November, 1918 – the day Circles of Influence campaign exceeded our [email protected] after the Armistice was signed to end the expectations and he will be much missed. Great War – Robert Cecil, Viscount of Lord Bilimoria will sit well within such Your details Chelwood, used his inauguration speech illustrious company. Born in India, Please let us know if you want extra to outline the architecture for a League Lord Bilimoria founded Cobra Beer and copies of buzz or if you think we need of Nations, that ultimately unsuccessful is an active Crossbench Peer. Although not to amend your distribution details. attempt to create a machinery to prevent an alumnus himself, his mother, uncle and another conflict in Europe (and for which he grandfather all studied here and he has Views expressed in the magazine are won the Nobel Peace Prize). Cecil was long been a member of the Business not necessarily those of the University succeeded in 1944 by Anthony Eden who School Advisory Board. Like all of our or a statement of University policy. combined his duties to us with serving as Chancellors, Lord Bilimoria will shape the All submissions may be subject to Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister. role but I have no doubt that he will do editing. The Editor’s decision is final. Eden resigned as Premier after the so with distinction and dedication. disastrous Suez Crisis but continued as Chancellor until 1973. Suez represents, Adam Tickell as much as any other single event, Provost and Vice Principal the decline of British power and one of Professor Front cover image: David Charlton, Eden’s legacies to us are private papers Professor of Particle Physics from this period. FEATURE: EPS 3

Global impact in Engineering and Physical Sciences: leading the way in computer science and electrical engineering Samantha Williams learns more about the important partnership between the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and the University of Science and Technology China

Information science research is transforming approaches. Such cross-disciplinary speech aided by computer technology. the future landscape of our world at a approaches provide solutions to everyday ‘This research has extremely important rapid pace. Thanks to technology being concerns such as vehicle routing challenges. applications: for some classes of patients developed by the University in collaboration The Institute’s other focus, data analysis who have lost their voice, perhaps due with Chinese scientists, Birmingham is and mining, is an important challenge to disease, or as a result of a surgical leading the way, from tracking consumer of the digital age. The research is of procedure, the technology can be behaviour and pioneering smartphone significant commercial value with internet life-changing.’ capability to mapping underground energy companies competing to understand Ian’s projects have commercial value. systems and healthcare technology. consumer behaviours. While whisper conversion was initially The University of Birmingham has Xin’s team is able to analyse data envisaged as a technique applicable to partnered the University of Science and collected from users to map trends and voice loss, it is becoming more viable as Technology China (USTC), the country’s are engaged with Baidu (China’s Google) a technology for mainstream users who leading institution for science and to take this information one step further wish to talk to (and whisper to) their technology, for more than a decade and and consider predictions connected to intelligent devices. Ian is working with has seen growing scholarly exchange and browser pathways. international mobile phone manufacturers. knowledge transfer. Building on the success of a dedicated research laboratory for Nature Inspired Computation and Its Professor Ian ‘International collaboration Applications, set up in 2003, the institutions McLoughlin is a win-win situation for the established a formal research institute, Professor Ian institutions and researchers. The USTC-Birmingham Joint Research McLoughlin’s 22-year Institute in Intelligent Computation and career, including work It can play to the strengths of Its Applications, in 2010. across three continents both teams, avoiding local Professor Xin Yao, Professor of for multinationals, weaknesses and leveraging Computer Science and Director of the big and small industries, joint USTC-Birmingham Research Institute, charities, consultancies and academia, on special talents present in and Professor Ian McLoughlin, Professor in began at the University’s School of both teams.’ Electronic Engineering and Information Electronic, Electrical and Computer Science at USTC and Birmingham alumnus, Engineering, where he received his have embraced travel in their research undergraduate degree. He returned to the The collaboration enables Xin to map endeavours and understand first-hand the University for his PhD. He joined USTC as significance of international collaboration. Professor in the Department of Electronic research focuses and demands onto Engineering and Information Science expertise among colleagues in both in 2012. Birmingham and USTC to ensure a critical Professor Xin Yao ‘Working in China was a long-term mass that can pioneer developments. Professor Xin Yao, ambition for me and I was delighted He said: ‘There is a good match between who received his PhD to make the move two years ago. expertise at Birmingham and USTC and from USTC, leads the USTC seems to have recently begun a the Institute brings together a range of USTC-Birmingham Joint significant drive to increase the number skills and approaches as well as local Research Institute in of international professors working in and international knowledge. Intelligent Computation the University, and the number of Ian added: ‘International collaboration and Its Applications. international students studying there. is a win-win situation for the institutions ‘The Research Institute focuses on two This coincided with the setting up of and researchers. It can play to the strengths main areas: adaptive optimisation and a National Engineering Laboratory of both teams, avoiding local weaknesses advanced data analysis and mining.’ relating to speech – which is my main and leveraging on special talents present By working closely with engineers and research area.’ in both teams.’ technicians, the Institute develops applied Ian’s research in speech processing operations research using nature-inspired looks at the conversion of whispers to 4 NEWS NEWS

New Chancellor announced of matters including commerce, In May it was announced that Lord Karan entrepreneurship, education, diplomacy, Bilimoria of Chelsea CBE has been minorities’ contributions, and academia. appointed as our seventh Chancellor, Lord Bilimoria has a long association with following in the footsteps of our the University; he has been a member enormously distinguished Chancellors of the Business School Advisory Board including the Right Honourable Joseph since 2005 and his mother, uncle, and Chamberlain, the Right Honourable Sir maternal grandfather all studied here. Anthony Eden, and Sir Dominic Cadbury, As well as his significant business who stepped down last December after achievements, Lord Bilimoria has also 11 years in the role. been acknowledged as an ambassador The Indian-born founder of Cobra Beer, for Britain, India, and the Parsi Community. Lord Bilimoria is a highly respected Lord Bilimoria will officially take up his global businessman and one of the role in July following his Installation Staff shortlisted for UK’s leading international entrepreneurs. Ceremony. A more in depth feature will He is also a Crossbench Peer who is appear in the next edition of buzz. THELMA Awards active in Parliament across a wide range The 2014 Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards celebrate the sector’s Academics take leadership, management, financial and 1939’; Heather Widdows: ‘Perfect and business skills. The University’s the stage at Hay Me!’; Abigail Rokison: ‘Romeo and Juliet International Relations team have been Is the quest for physical perfection for the young viewer – interpretation and shortlisted for the Outstanding something an individual chooses freely adaptation’; Philippa Semper: ‘Who International Strategy Award and the or a constraining and dominating ideal wants to live forever: Mortals, immortals Academic Services team are in the imposed by a society seemingly and the undead’; David Gange, running for the Outstanding Registry obsessed with looks? Contemporary – ‘Dialogues with the Dead: Egyptology in Team and the Outstanding Leadership and increasingly global – notions of British culture and religion’; and Richard and Management Team awards. beauty formed one of the University of House: ‘Digital publishing: pixels vs The winners will be announced at Birmingham’s talks that, as buzz went paper. The Kills.’ an awards ceremony in London to press, were due to take place at on 17 June. this year’s Hay Festival of Literature from 23–31 May. The full line up of Birmingham Birmingham academics were: Jonathan Boff: ‘Sleepwalking to war: Britain in 1914 Professional Forum Photo: Finn Beales

Monday 30 June, 2.30–3.30pm Gilbert Orchid House Great Hall, Aston Webb Building create an improved, more accessible opened following glasshouse and we’re extremely grateful The Birmingham Professional Forum legacy donation for their donation.’ is a termly event for all Professional Staff at Winterbourne House and For more information about gifts Services colleagues (administrative, Garden have been busy rehoming the in wills, contact Emma Hazlewood in the support and technical staff) from tropical plant and rare orchid collection, Development Office on 0121 414 7957 across the University. Introduced by thanks to a donation that enabled the or [email protected]. the Registrar and Secretary, construction of a new glasshouse. More information on visiting Lee Sanders, the forum is a great The Gilbert Orchid House, named after Winterbourne House and Garden: opportunity to hear from colleagues donors Professor Geoffrey and www.winterbourne.org.uk on a wide range of topical subjects Mrs Lilo Gilbert, officially opened last for both staff and the University. month. Geoffrey and Lilo, who worked in Further information will be available at: the Department of Chemistry between intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/ 1947 and 1985, loved spending time at events/bpf.aspx. Winterbourne and left a gift in their will to ensure future generations continue to enjoy the house and grounds. Winterbourne’s curator Lee Hale was delighted with the gift: ‘the orchid house is a very popular garden feature but the old house was in need of renovation. The Gilberts’ support has enabled us to NEWS NEWS 5

WHAT’S THE NAME OF THE GAME? A new interactive campaign is giving you the chance to name the gym in the University’s new sports centre.

You can help to name the University’s went on to become the youngest winner of and the first British athlete to hold the title. new state-of-the-art gym by voting the BBC Young Sports Personality of the In 2009 Chrissie was voted ‘Sunday Times for your favourite sporting hero who has Year in 2008, and the youngest recipient of Sportswoman of the Year’ and in 2010 was pledged their support for the facility. an MBE at the age of 14. Ellie received her awarded an MBE. She is a passionate and Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds, OBE in the 2013 New Year’s Honours in active University of Birmingham alumna and test cricketer Gladstone Small, and World recognition of services to Paralympic sport. member of the Birmingham Running and Ironman Champion Chrissie Wellington Triathlon Club to this day. (BSc Geography, 1998) are all backing Gladstone Small the Name of the Game campaign – A former cricketer who played in 17 Tests To find out more about our Name of the who will get your vote? and 53 One Day Internationals for England. Game champions, and to cast your vote, The £55 million sports centre will He also played for Warwickshire and head to www.birmingham.ac.uk/ include Birmingham’s first 50m swimming South Australia, and helped England retain nameofthegame. The website also pool, and a wide range of other facilities the Ashes in 1986–87, taking 5–48 offers a sneak peek at what the finished designed to cater for students, staff, and being named ‘Man of the Match’. facilities will look like. and the wider community. Gladstone is renowned for his commitment and enthusiasm as a team player, and as You can also vote by texting Who are our Name of the one of the most popular characters in ‘GLADSTONE’, ‘ELLIE’ or Game sporting heroes? county cricket. ‘CHRISSIE’ to 70099. Ellie Simmonds OBE Chrissie Wellington MBE Texts cost £1 plus standard rate text message charge. A minimum of A four-time Paralympic Champion with A four-time Ironman Triathlon World 97p depending on your service provider ten world records to her name. Ellie won her Champion, Chrissie is the only triathlete to will be received by the University first Paralympic medal at the age of 13, have won the Ironman World Championship of Birmingham. this was the start of a string of firsts as she less than a year after turning professional,

CAMPUS CURIOSIT?ES

What is it? outstanding academic library with a cultural A webcam to follow new hub and open up a striking green park at campus developments the heart of campus, and you can watch the transformation take shape with our new Where is it? building webcams. The top of Old Joe Positioned at the top of Old Joe the cameras provide a live bird’s eye view of Watch the changing face of campus live construction work on the University’s new from the top of Old Joe! Our Edgbaston campus is being £55 million sports centre, and state-of-the- transformed with new facilities that will be art library. View the action as it happens for the benefit of students, staff and visitors. and find out more about these and Campus developments will deliver the other campus development projects at city’s first 50m swimming pool, create an www.birmingham.ac.uk/building 6 HAVECAMPUS YOUR DEVELOPMENTS SAY CAMPUS DEVELOPMENTSNEWS

Transforming our campus

The campus redevelopment is taking shape

Anyone who has taken a stroll around resources, which will benefit all users. campus over the last few weeks cannot For our students, the library will house fail to have noticed the various construction a variety of learning spaces to cater projects which are now getting underway for different modes of study, including as the redevelopment of our beautiful an audio listening room and four video students and community members will be campus starts to take shape. And if editing suites. able to benefit from one of the largest gyms you take a closer look, you will see earth For our researchers, the new building in Europe, a large sports hall and squash being moved, foundations dug and, will include a state-of-the-art, designated courts. There will also be a purpose- before long, buildings starting to emerge research area. A Research Annexe will designed performance centre, as well from the ground. also be constructed to better accommodate as a section of the gym for rehabilitation The projects currently underway form and preserve our low use, but important following injury and illness. part of the central campus masterplan – heritage print collection. This annexe A third element of the campus the transformational scheme to create a located in the lower ground level of the developments – the redevelopment of campus fit for the 21st century while building will include 50km of shelving for the Aston Webb C Block – is rather less retaining the legacy of previous plans, most the collection. visible, but integral to the project, as it will notably, the approach to Chancellor’s Court The old running track has now been become a natural link for pedestrians – and the clock tower from North Gate on removed for the construction of the library especially students – from Chancellor’s Pritchatts Road. This axis was conceived to begin, and our current planning approval Court to the new sports centre. as part of Aston Webb’s original plan for includes permission for the construction of This project is taking place entirely campus but was truncated by the current a new running track on the Munrow Sports within the walls of the Aston Webb library building. The new developments will Centre site once the centre is demolished. Building and will see a dramatic once again open up this space, giving staff, That demolition will take place once transformation as a student services and students and visitors a beautiful green the new sports centre which is currently learning hub is created, with a range of heart in the centre of campus to enjoy, being constructed on the site on the support for students on offer, as well as a and unparalleled views of the clock tower. corner of Bristol Road and Edgbaston Park 250-seat lecture theatre and suite of This green heart will be opened up Road is open. Work to build this state-of- other learning spaces. once the current library is demolished – the-art centre, which will include, among The scheme will see student activity and the brand new library which is other facilities, Birmingham’s first 50m increased in Chancellor’s Court and the under construction will have spectacular swimming pool, is well underway. The site Aston Webb Building, and the walkway views across campus as a result. The new is currently being levelled, and the Gun between C Block and the Bramall will library will sit alongside University Centre, Barrels pub is due to have been provide a natural pathway to and from the and provide outstanding facilities for a new demolished by the time you read this. sports centre, linking that site with the generation of students and researchers. The location of the sports centre will centre of campus. It will embrace new and emerging ensure that this busy junction benefits The developments are not confined to technologies to provide an enhanced from a prominent and public face of these projects though, with a postgraduate user experience. the University, encouraging members teaching centre planned for a disused The building will also provide a more of the local community to visit and use contractors’ car park to the north of efficient use of space, and an improved the facilities. Muirhead Tower. Work should start later layout of the collections, facilities and staff As well as the swimming pool, staff, this summer. And at the Research Park, HAVECAMPUS YOUR DEVELOPMENTS SAY CAMPUS DEVELOPMENTSNEWS 7

The exciting developments are not confined to campus, and within the immediate environs of the main campus, two more exciting projects are well underway. To the east of campus, the new Dental Hospital and School is nearing its topping out phase – that is, reaching its highest point. the steel frame of the Biomedical Hub Staff and students from the School of Dentistry will be joining us in being constructed there is growing ever Edgbaston from autumn 2015 and will benefit from a new four-storey more visible. Meanwhile, at the Vale, dental hospital, housing a range of services for the public including the skyline has altered dramatically in walk-in emergency dental care, Restorative, Oral Surgery, recent weeks with the demolition of the Oral Medicine, Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry. Chamberlain Hall tower, previously known The public will access all dental services in one wing of the building as High Hall. The replacement tower and with a second wing providing world-class research facilities and a associated residences blocks there will modern learning environment for more than 600 undergraduate and be ready for the 2015 student intake. postgraduate students and trainees. Ian Barker, Director of Estates at the To the south west of main campus, on our Selly Oak campus, University, said: ‘The current phase of readers may well have noticed that work has begun on preparing the development is particularly interesting. ground for the University of Birmingham School, which will open to In addition to providing the high-quality pupils in September 2015. Planning permission was granted earlier facilities that we need to attract and this year, and contractors appointed soon afterwards. retain the best staff and students, it will This pioneering institution will be a free, mixed ability, co-educational have a major impact on the quality and state school for students aged 11-16, with a broad, academic sustainability of the wider campus. sixth form. Although the location is close to main campus, the School ‘The plans pay great attention to the will take pupils from across the city, helping to meet the anticipated routes through campus and the new shortfall in secondary school places across Birmingham. When the spaces that will be created – as well as School opens in September 2015 it will be with intakes into Years 7 the buildings themselves – with the and 12, and it will grow to its full capacity of 1,150 pupils in five years. intention of creating a more coherent campus environment that is more legible, has a stronger sense of place and is Even further afield, the University has an exciting project getting off more sustainable.’ the ground in Ansty, near Coventry. The University of Birmingham and As the projects which have been Rolls-Royce are establishing a High Temperature Research Centre mulled over, discussed and planned for (HTRC) which builds on a longstanding successful collaboration so many months begin to take shape between the two organisations. It is funded through a £40 million and grow, staff can keep up-to-date by investment by Rolls-Royce, matched by a £20 million government grant visiting the dedicated webpages at through the Higher Education Funding Council for England’s (HEFCE) www.birmingham.ac.uk/building – UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF). where webcams overlooking the sports The Centre will be a unique casting, design, simulation and advanced centre and the library developments can manufacturing research facility, and will focus initially on the key design and manufacturing aspects of investment casting relating to aerospace also be found, for anyone who wants to and other industrial sectors. It will also work in education and research keep an eye on proceedings. with a variety of other partners in the UK and internationally. The new facility will offer the opportunity for the University and Rolls-Royce to build upon their existing relationship with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), which is also located at Ansty Park. 8 FEATURE: TOP TEN RESEARCH HEROES

How research at the University has changed the world

When the University asked staff, students the Epstein-Barr virus, a common human and alumni to nominate Birmingham Otto Frisch and Sir Rudolf Peierls pathogen associated with several types of academics whose research has changed cancer such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma. the world, more than 100 names flooded in. Research by another two Birmingham They came from across all Colleges and physicists, Otto Frisch and Sir Rudolf all areas of expertise. Some were past Peierls, also influenced the outcome of Sir Paul Nurse luminaries; many are present-day research the Second World War: The Frisch-Peierls pioneers. What they have in common is that Memorandum, written in 1940 while they The University has produced eight each one has blazed a global trail of were working together at the University, Nobel Prize winners, the most recent being knowledge and invention. They have met detailed for the first time the feasibility of geneticist and cell biologist Sir Paul Nurse, some of the world’s biggest medical science developing an atomic bomb. It contained who was honoured in 2001 for his seminal challenges, changed the course of a world new calculations about the size of the discoveries of protein molecules that control war and deepened our understanding of the critical mass needed for such a device the division of cells in the cell cycle. workings of the universe. and laid the foundations for the Manhattan His research enabled the development of The names have now been whittled Project, which produced the first atomic new treatments and medicines for cancer. down to ten finalists, who will feature in a bombs of the Second World War, A Birmingham graduate, he went on to booklet detailing the impact Birmingham’s heralding the beginning of the end of become the Director General and Head research has had over the past 100 years. the conflict. of the Cell Cycle Laboratory at the Imperial They will also appear on ‘top ten’ coloured Cancer Research Fund. He then headed up light bulb-shaped posters to be displayed the world’s biggest volunteer-supported around campus. Professor Alan Rickinson cancer research body, Cancer Research UK, Professor David Charlton features on before moving to the United States in the front and back of this issue of buzz, A finalist whose work has led to huge 2003 to become President of Rockefeller but who are the other nine? strides being taken in the field of cancer University. He is now President of the research is Professor Alan Rickinson, Royal Society. who spearheaded the development of the Sir John Randall and Dr Harry Boot Institute of Cancer Studies (now the School of Cancer Sciences) from 1983 to Sir Peter Medawar Two names whose research had a major 2001. He oversaw the Institute’s expansion impact on the past and also play a big part from a small, non-clinical research Sir Peter Medawar, Professor of Zoology in our present way of life are physicists department into a huge research centre at the University between 1947 and 1953, Sir John Randall and Dr Harry Boot. On 21 integrating basic work on cancer genetics, spent many years conducting experiments February 1940 in Birmingham, they first viral oncology and tumour immunology with proving that tissue grafts were rejected operated the Cavity Magnetron – the main translational studies in gene/immunotherapy by immune responses but tolerated if the generator of high power centimetre- and what has become one of the largest host and donor were genetically related or wavelength electromagnetic radiation – cancer clinical trials units in the UK. if the host had been exposed to cells of to produce radar waves. This was From 2001 until he officially retired in the donor during foetal life. This work was immediately used to power airborne radar, April 2014, Professor Rickinson worked fundamental to the practice of tissue and which greatly influenced the outcome tirelessly to maintain Birmingham’s position organ transplants, and won him the of the Second World War. It is also a key as an international centre of excellence Nobel Prize in 1960. component in microwave ovens, for work on human tumour viruses, which transformed modern cooking. leading a large research group focusing on FEATURE: TOP TEN RESEARCH HEROES

How research at the University has changed the world

of ‘general equilibrium’, a branch of to advancing women’s careers in science, Sir Norman Haworth economics that tries to explain supply technology, engineering, maths and and demand. His book, The Share of medicine (STEMM) employment Another Nobel Prize winner is Sir Norman Wages in the National Income, published in academia. Haworth – Mason Professor of Chemistry in 1972, anticipated the heated debate A number of eminent women featured at Birmingham for 25 years, from 1925 to current today. He reformulated and refined on the longlist, including Charlotte 1948 – who devoted his life to pioneering previous economic theory as the basis for Anderson, who became the first female research into carbohydrates. He made decision-making on public policy. professor of paediatrics in the UK when extensive discoveries in the field, she was appointed Leonard Parsons culminating in the synthesis of vitamin C Professor of Paediatrics at Birmingham in 1933, which significantly helped to COBUILD Medical School in 1968. She is best improve health and food production. known for identifying wheat gluten as the His research defined the basic features The last of the ten finalists is not, in fact, cause of coeliac disease. of starch, cellulose, glycogen, inulin and a person – but a research project! Also on the list were Professor xylan, and this knowledge has had broad COBUILD (Collins Birmingham University Pamela Kearns, Director of Birmingham’s impact far outside the remit of chemistry. International Language Database), Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit a research project set up in 1980 and – one of the largest in the country – funded by Collins publishers, and bioscientist Dr Angela Murray, David Lodge has transformed the study of English across who has developed a way to efficiently the globe by a radical and highly innovative extract platinum, palladium and rhodium David Lodge is one of the most celebrated use of corpus-linguistic technologies to from road dust. Dr Tansin Benn was contemporary novelists and literary critics, analyse computationally multi-million-word longlisted for her work on the effects of and was at the University for 27 years. databases of the English language. culture and religion on sport participation He was Professor of English Literature at Led by Professor of English Language among Muslim females. the University until 1987, a CBE and now John Sinclair, the COBUILD team’s Emeritus Professor, he is best-known for original approach description of his satirical ‘campus’ novels that broke English transformed the design and use Did you know? new ground. He has also written insightful of dictionaries and grammars for learners n The University still employs a glass- books on the art and craft of fiction. of English and has since led to blower to make specific items for His literary criticism has helped generations novel approaches to linguistic theory precise experiments of students to get to grips with new ideas. and practice. n Researchers at the University discovered a major ceremonial Although there are no women in the monument less than one kilometre Frank Hahn ‘top ten’, such a list would almost certainly away from Stonehenge, completely look very different a decade from now: changing our understanding of One of the world’s most distinguished supporting women in traditionally male- Stonehenge and its landscape economists, Professor Frank Hahn, dominated research fields is high on the was Lecturer, then Reader, in Economics University’s agenda, with 2013-14 being n The University of Birmingham was at the University from 1948 to 1959. designated a year of Advancing Equality chosen as the first of a unique chain His research incorporated money into the in Employment. Birmingham has also won of Cancer Research UK centres in analysis of the growth and instability of a clutch of awards from the Athena SWAN the country because of its research economic systems: he was an exponent Charter, which recognises commitment and medical expertise 10 FEATURE VOLUNTEERINGFEATURE: POD Robots reaching out to children with autism

Donations from University alumni, staff, and students are further improving how researchers at the Autism Centre for Education and Research (ACER) can support children with autism.

Nao the humanoid robot has become Bell (second year, BSc Computer Science). even better at helping children with autism, ‘The project showed the value of an thanks to a collaborative student project interdisciplinary team, and made clear funded by alumni. how different children with autism can be University researchers had been taking when working with robots. It was a Nao into Topcliffe Primary School in fantastic experience.’ Castle Vale, Birmingham with positive So how might the project change how results but, while Nao was able to show Nao works in the future? Dr Nick Hawes, actions for the children to imitate, it was Lecturer in Intelligent Robotics, explains: harder for the robot to recognise what the ‘In writing the software, the students children were doing. focused on trying to enrich interactions Using alumni funding, students from but the project showed that actually the Schools of Education and Computer the interaction needs to be simpler. Science developed a game that used For example, we thought the robot’s artificial intelligence to help Nao responses were slow, whereas we know recognise emotions. now this is perfectly suited to children with ‘Understanding communication autism who need a lot of processing time.’ as a two-way process is a key area for Dr Guldberg adds: ‘Nao is making a real children with autism, so for Nao to difference to the lives of these children. be able to respond like this is important’ The transformation in them when they see says Dr Karen Guldberg, Director of the Nao is incredible; they absolutely adore it. Autism Centre for Education and I would like to thank everyone whose gifts Research (ACER). ‘The tasks within made this happen, because the project the game were designed to help children would not have been possible without recognise emotions by focusing on their support.’ body language.’ This feature first appeared inOld Joe As well as enhancing the robot’s magazine, the University’s bi-annual capabilities, the project also benefited publication for Birmingham alumni. Visit the students. ‘It was incredible seeing the www.birmingham.ac.uk/oldjoe to find out children trying to comfort the robot when it more and to watch a short video of Nao cried, or talking into its ears,’ says Tristan in action.

Alumni, staff, and students showed their donating cash, wearing their silliest socks, support for the University’s autism research and ‘tweeting their feet’. Our favourite image by raising almost £500 as part of World from the day is here, but you can view all of Autism Awareness Day in April. the #sillysockday fun at Activity for the day included an ecard to www.storify.com/birminghamalum. alumni sharing details of ACER research To find out how you can help to change a and a #sillysockday run on Twitter by child’s life by donating to the University’s @birminghamalum. Participants helped vital research visit www.birmingham.ac.uk to raise awareness of autism research by /alumni/giving/autism.aspx. FEATURE VOLUNTEERINGFEATURE: POD 11

Coaching Academy Whether you’re a senior so we can help to ensure all members Library Services and the Project Office. academic or a member of the of staff give of their best.’ There are separate brochures for academic, University’s professional support Non-directive coaching is aimed academic-related and support staff on the staff, work-related problems at developing people’s skills at problem POD website at intranet.birmingham.ac. solving, while mentoring, also offered uk/staff/development. crop up all the time. How you go through the Academy, is more about giving about solving them can help to experience-based advice to colleagues. Senior Leadership set you apart from your peers. ‘In both cases, we’re trying to build Programme (SLP) leadership capabilities.’ The SLP, which has been run for the past Staff with an aptitude for resolving Leigh, who is also Assistant Director four years, is aimed at heads of school and difficulties themselves – and for helping of HR, says the Coaching Academy has equivalent Grade 10 professionals. others to do the same – now have the already attracted interest from outside ‘This is a combination of workshops, opportunity to train as a coach or mentor, the University. a project, 360-degree work – where you and so fan out their problem-solving and ‘We’ve had interest from other, smaller ask a selection of people you work leadership skills across campus. higher education institutions who want to with to give you feedback on you; a tool Birmingham is the first university in send people to train with us. As well as for highlighting your talents as well as the country to set up its own Coaching generating a modest income, it is also identifying your blind spots – action Academy. Launched last year, it offers about us contributing to the sector.’ learning sets, where you get together in a range of development options, including As well as coaching and mentoring, small groups to help each other problem an Institute of Leadership Management the annual Personal Development solve, and work exchanges,’ explains Leigh. (ILM) Level 5 qualification in Coaching Reviews often lead to staff joining a raft Sponsored by the Vice-Chancellor, and Mentoring, which provides training in of professional development courses about 100 senior managers have so far how to coach on-the-job and development run by POD. These include: gone through the programme, and there in mentoring skills. Its qualified coaches are plans to support the development with also offer direct coaching support to Open Programmes options for alumni. those who need it. Wide-ranging courses and workshops, ‘The Academy is proving really popular,’ from ‘having constructively challenging Emerging Leaders’ says Leigh Casey, Head of People and conversations’ and ‘grant writing’ to Organisational Development (POD), ‘developing resilience’ and ‘enhancing Programme which runs the Academy through the your role in attracting students’. These are Launched this year, this is a five-month HR Department. ‘We had 14 members of aimed at developing people’s influencing programme aimed at the talent of the future, staff on the first ILM programme and 12 skills as well as helping them to especially aspiring heads of school and on the second. Soon we will have trained become better managers. Courses are Grade 9 professional staff. nearly 70 people to be coaches who, held locally to help solve real-life issues ‘This is about individuals looking at as well as developing their own skills, and problems as well as centrally at POD themselves as leaders in the making – can in turn go out and coach other staff. House at 31 Pritchatts Road. Each college to develop their leadership DNA and bring ‘The Coaching Academy is an initiative and corporate service has its own their unique talents to the organisation. to drive the University forward – so it’s POD consultant. We don’t go along with the one-size-fits-all organisational development as well as New brochures are available from 2 June approach to leadership.’ personal. The aim is to develop a coaching showing all offerings not just for POD but culture as part of our leadership framework, also CLAD, IT, Workplace Wellbeing, HAS, 12 FEATURE: POD FEATURE: POD

People and Christopher Anthony other points of view: It’s not just about what Since completing his ILM5 qualification you may think, it’s about a wider process Organisational in Leadership and Management earlier and taking into account all the different this year, Christopher Anthony has jumped viewpoints and different styles of how Development a grade and now manages an eight-strong people like to work and applying different team of sports coaches and 300 processes. So it’s helped me to develop a Case Studies student volunteers. more structured approach.’ Although his promotion wasn’t a direct It has given Chris more confidence, too. result of gaining the certificate, the skills ‘You feel more knowledgeable in having the he learned on the programme have been tools with which to back up the work you invaluable in his new role. have done because you have given due ‘My job involves looking after all the diligence to the process. And that makes sports clubs,’ says Chris, whose title is you more confident.’ Club Development Manager with UB Sport. One of the most interesting and relevant ‘Until recently, I was Grade 6 and aspects of the ILM5 programme for Chris managing about 300 student volunteers; was around communication – where I am now is Grade 7 and I’m ‘How important it is to communicate managing a team of eight sports coaches, effectively to all the various stakeholders an administrator and the student and how often it is misunderstanding and volunteers, which allows a more holistic miscommunication rather than what you’re approach to management of sports trying to do that is the problem. So even at Birmingham. It’s not a direct result of if what you’re trying to do isn’t 100 per cent going on the ILM Level 5 programme, but it backed up, it’s how you go about it that is certainly didn’t do me any harm as I’ve the most important thing. Now that I’ve been able to apply what I learned. got a larger team to manage, I am able to ‘What I found particularly helpful was make sure everyone has the right level that the course makes you think about of information.’

‘I believe a coaching culture University. I believe a coaching culture will be extremely useful, will be extremely useful, because it can build and develop the staff we already have because it can build and and bring new focus to the University as develop the staff we already a business. have and bring new focus to ‘I coached three people during the programme, all of whom were very different,’ the University as a business.’ she says. ‘Even though they were classed as practice sessions, the preparation and She feels that going through the Academy thought processes were the same as if you has not only helped her do her job better, were doing it for real. One of the women but has shown her that coaching will be an I coached went on to join the Academy’s important element in enabling the University second cohort – so she must have enjoyed to become an even better business. it! Another woman said how impressed she Michelle Khan-Price ‘I was very excited to be part of this was by the coaching process and how it The practice coaching sessions new initiative,’ says Michelle. ‘I really enjoy had really changed her way of thinking.’ Michelle Khan-Price did as part of her working with people and it’s a big element Michelle says it’s important for people to ILM5 qualification went so well that one of my role here, so learning how to coach understand that coaching is not counselling. of her ‘models’ decided to train to be married quite nicely with my existing skills ‘Everything about coaching is positive – a coach herself. and has taken them to a new level. it’s about enhancing communication Michelle, Learning and Development For example, I’ve really tuned into my and embarking upon new challenges. It can Coordinator in Hospitality and listening skills – to hear what people are help people learn how to delegate better, Accommodation Services, was chosen really saying. how to communicate on different levels to join the first Coaching Academy ‘I was keen to join the programme not so and how to progress in their career. And it cohort – and no sooner had it finished much for my own development – although it improves your confidence. Joining the than she was coaching University is very helpful in my role – but to see how programme has shown me just how staff for real. it can benefit and develop staff across the powerful a tool coaching can be.’ FEATURE: POD FEATURE: POD 13

something that would affirm that role.’ ‘There is always room So, last year, Deborah joined the POD Senior Leadership Programme (SLP) and to learn how to do things has since become a mentor on the Aurora more effectively.’ leadership programme for women, part of the University’s Advancing Equality in involved in the Aurora programme,’ says Employment initiative. This year she is Deborah. ‘Laura was fairly new to the hoping to join the Coaching Academy. University, so I felt I could help her build ‘Because the School of Dentistry is some links across the University. based in the middle of town, it’s not easy to Her research area is really interesting, so I forge links with other parts of the University, feel as if I’ve got as much out of it as she so I saw the SLP as a way to find out more has. I didn’t really know how it would work, about how the University works in a but we meet about once a month, and we strategic sense. As part of the programme, talk about a range of topics, both personal Professor Deborah White we had to do a project and I found it really and professional. Despite having risen through the ranks, interesting to work with group of people ‘I do feel that both the SLP and the Professor Deborah White didn’t originally from across the University who had the see herself as a natural leader. same goal but were on slightly different Aurora programme have expanded my role ‘I’ve never been someone to loudly paths and had different perspectives. as a leader and given me new ideas about step forward – I’ve always been quite Some of the contacts I made have been how I can work better and deal with reserved – so in that sense I didn’t really really helpful.’ challenging relationships that everyone think of myself as a leader,’ she explains. Deborah, who is also the School of faces at some time or other. Not only do I ‘On the other hand, as well as being Dentistry’s Senior Welfare Tutor, now have more confidence, I also realise that Professor of Dental Public Health, I am mentors two fellow academics, one of everyone has to deal with difficult situations also the Director of Education at the whom is Dr Laura Jones. and that there’s no recipe book to solve School of Dentistry, which involves many ‘I’ve always had a really strong belief in problems – there is always room to learn leadership skills. I guess I wanted to do equality for women, so I was keen to get how to do things more effectively.’

health research within the School of to gain as much experience as possible as Health and Population Sciences. she climbs the career ladder. Like her mentor, Professor Deborah ‘What the Aurora programme has done White, she saw Aurora as a way to is help me to map out where I fit into the widen her network of contacts and meet wider professional network, who has power academics and non-academics at and influence and how I might change how different stages in their career, with a I behave and operate so as to achieve the range of experiences in leadership and outcome I want. It has shown me the professional development. pathway to promotion and given me ideas for navigating my way through.’ ‘I know more about the Having Deborah as a mentor was skills I need to continue to particularly rewarding, says Laura. develop so that I stand out in ‘I have a mentor in my School, but it was a competitive environment.’ great to have someone else, working in a Dr Laura Jones different area and who’s a female professor, Young and ambitious, Dr Laura Jones ‘A paper entitled Women and Higher that I could talk to and ask questions of, had been at Birmingham just under Education: Absences and Aspirations by such as how you balance teaching and six months when she heard about the Professor Louise Morley suggests that admin with doing your research – which is Aurora leadership programme for women, the number of women in senior positions what you are judged on – to ensure you do part of the University’s Advancing Equality in higher education is actually falling rather all three to the best of your ability.’ in Employment initiative, and decided than increasing, so I was interested in Having recently completed the six-month to sign up. whether there might be gender-specific programme, Laura is confident she’s on the ‘At the time, I was still relatively new issues as well as issues common to right career track. to Birmingham – I arrived in April 2013 – both sexes.’ ‘As well as keeping up the contacts and and I was looking for opportunities for my Laura, 31, who was a senior research networks I’ve made, I know more about the professional development,’ explains Laura, fellow at The University of Nottingham skills I need to continue to develop so that I a lecturer in qualitative and mixed-methods before taking up her first lectureship, is keen stand out in a competitive environment.’ 14 NEWS AND EVENTS NEWS AND VIEWS

SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER Family activity in city centre using the Library and Centenary Square and the Rep Theatre. On campus at the University there will be a BRITISH programme of general interest talks and SCIENCE workshops. SUNDAY 7 SEPTEMBER The University’s annual Community Day is being moved to coincide with the Festival FESTIVAL and Sunday will be a family day, with activities suitable for all ages.

The British Science Festival (BSF) 2014 is DURING THE WEEK to be hosted by the University in September Weekday activities will include a series of and was officially unveiled at the Library scientific talks and debates for adults at the University, shows, and workshops for of Birmingham in April with the help of a students aged 14+ and apprentices. number of the University’s academics We also intend to have rolling hands-on, and colleagues from Aston University and drop-in activity on Chancellor’s Court Birmingham City University. during the lunchtime period. Anatomist, TV presenter and author Alice Roberts, Professor of Public Engagement in Science at the University, was joined at EVENINGS THROUGHOUT THE FESTIVAL the launch by colleagues including Dr Nick Join us for a programme of star speakers, Hawes, lecturer in Intelligent Robotics, debates, science comedy, science drama, who was accompanied by a programmable workshops for adults and family shows. ‘Nao’ robot. Visitors to the library were Speakers already confirmed include: inspired with the excitement of science, n Mark Wolport, Chief Scientific Adviser enjoying a flavour of what to expect from to the government

the festival in September. The BSF, which n Jim Al-Khalili, Physicist and broadcaster visits a different city each year, is aimed n Richard Wiseman, Psychologist at celebrating all things scientific; organised and author by the British Science Association, the n Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Space Scientist event encourages researchers to share their and broadcaster, recently named as work with the public. successor to Patrick Moore as presenter Imran Khan, the British Science of The Sky at Night

Association’s CEO spoke at the n Alice Roberts, Scientist and broadcaster, launch saying: ‘Birmingham is one of the Professor of Public Engagement at the world’s great scientific cities and we are University of Birmingham

delighted to be able to work with the city’s n David Nutt, controversial ex-Chief amazing researchers.’ Scientific Advisor to the government

n Paul Nurse and Tim Hunt, Biologists and Nobel Prize winners Community Day is moving to September n Julia King, Engineer, government Advisor This year’s annual Community Day will and Vice Chancellor of Aston University be moving from its usual date in June to September so that we can join up with the BSF. We hope that by enhancing EVENING ENTERTAINMENT the day with our BSF 2014 guests we In addition to the evening talks and can deliver an even bigger family event debates there will also be a programme of for all the community. Don’t forget to pop entertainment shows and comedy events the date in your calendar – Sunday 7 which will take place on and off campus September 2014 – and tell all your friends. at venues across the city, including The REP and mac birmingham. A festival vibe on campus The Festival will be open to everyone and organisers wish to invite all staff to attend For more information about the Festival events. The festival will be focused around visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/BSF14 Chancellor’s Court and there will also be a or email Claire Doggett, British Science marquee on the lawn serving refreshments. Festival Project Manager Birmingham We hope staff will drop in to enjoy the 2014 [email protected]. festival vibe. NEWS AND VIEWS 15 news views Our regular feature gives buzz readers a quick tour of the latest University news hitting the headlines and activity among our online community.

in the news… Many articles about Birmingham research and expertise appear in local, national and international press every day. Here are just a few examples of our recent highlights. feeling social... Staff, students and alumni have been helping the next generation Professor Rob MacKenzie, Director of the Birmingham Institute of potential students by telling them why they love Birmingham. of Forest Research, was interviewed about the Saharan dust We asked people to let us know on Twitter, Facebook and and air pollution that affected the country in early April. Professor MacKenzie was interviewed by BBC Breakfast, BBC News Instagram using #hellobrum. Channel, BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Sky News, Over the Easter period we posted our applicants a speech Channel 5 News, BBC Radio WM, BBC Radio 4’s Farming bubble and asked them to let us know why they were choosing Today and The New York Times. Birmingham in 2014 and send us their photos. The campaign generated a fantastic response, and #hellobrum A University of Birmingham study into sharing ‘selfie’ became a popular term for the University’s social media, photographs was featured in an article in The Times. The mentioned more than 300 times in April alone. feature considered how browsing friends’ photographs on You can view the photos on the #hellobrum Storify at social media sites is linked to negative feelings about body image. www.storify.com/unibirmingham/hellobrum

Dr Kataryna Wolczuk, Professor Stefan Wolff and Professor Scott Lucas were called upon to discuss the Ukraine crisis and its impact on the relationship between the US and Russia. Dr Dr Karen Guldberg was featured in an article on the Daily Mail Wolczuk featured on BBC News, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio Online about the use of robots in the education of autistic 5 Live. Professor Wolff was interviewed on BBC Breakfast and children. several regional radio stations, and Professor Lucas spoke on the continuing crisis for BBC Radio WM. Dr Will Palin was featured on BBC One’s Fake Britain testing the differences between fake and real dentistry products. Professor Vince Gaffney was featured in an article on the BBC discussing archaeological evidence from the North Sea Professor Laura Piddock’s research into antibiotic resistance which suggests a tsunami destroyed a prehistoric ‘Atlantis’. received widespread coverage including quotes in the Daily Mail, The Telegraph, The Guardian, the Chicago Tribune and The University’s new agreement with the UK Anti-Doping several other international newspapers. agency to begin the process to gaining a Clean Sport University Accreditation was discussed in an article in the Birmingham Mail. If you would like to work with Join the the press office, or find out more Dr Chris Allen was featured in an article in The Daily about how they can help you Telegraph concerning claims of infiltration by Islamic UoB online extremists in Birmingham schools. community promote your research, email [email protected] Martin Killeen from Special Collections was interviewed for an Follow us on Twitter or call 0121 414 6029 article in the Birmingham Mail about Quakerism and pacifism in at @unibirmingham. the First World War. Mr Killeen was also involved in a If you use social media Birmingham Mail article about newly discovered images of the at work and would like to increase 1st Southern Cross Hospital at the University during the First your visibility, get in touch with our Digital Marketing and World War. Communications Team via [email protected] profile in myownwords David Charlton… supersymmetry. Thispredictsapartnerparticle for but oneelegant answerwouldbeprovidedby some other,“dark”, matter.Wedon’tknowwhat itis, It doesn’tseemtobeintheform ofatoms,butrather the universe,theyseeeffects ofalotmass. to bemorephysicsdiscover. massive. Thisisonestronghint thatthere’sgoing more naturalinthetheorythatitshouldbealot The facttheHiggsissolightsurprising:itmuch analysing databeforenewphysicsmightbeseen. months totwoyearsormoreofcollectingand has somethingverysurprisingforus,itwilltakesix a lotofpotentialfornewdiscoveries.UnlessNature challenging task. about 40fundingagenciesaroundtheworldisa in thenext.Securingnecessaryfundingfrom collision rateincreasesfurther,laterthisdecadeand continuing excellentperformancewhentheLHC time lookingatlonger-termupgradesthatwillensure for repairs,duringwhichI’vebeenspendingalotof more precisely. deal moretobedonemeasureitspropertiesmuch Standard Model,oradifferenttype:thereisgreat boson. Wedon’tknowifit’saHiggsbosonasinthe March lastyearwewereabletosayitreallyisaHiggs new particlewe’ddiscoveredwasHiggs-like,butin team fromBirmingham. 3,000 scientistsfromaroundtheworld,includinga with eachother.Theresultingeventsarestudiedby almost thespeedoflight,causingbeamstocollide does issteertogetherbeamsofprotonsatavelocity most powerfulparticleacceleratoreverbuilt.Whatit which givesmasstofundamentalparticles. the “missinglink”ofStandardModelPhysics, experiment thatdiscoveredtheHiggsboson, fantastic tobeSpokesperson,orscientifichead,ofthe I probablyoverusetheword“fantastic”,butitreallyis luminaries whoseresearchhaschangedtheworld. (CERN) nearGeneva.HehasbeenvotedoneoftheUniversity’s‘topten’ Hadron ColliderwithintheEuropeanOrganizationforNuclearResearch and Astronomy,isSpokespersonoftheATLASCollaborationatLarge David Charlton,ProfessorofParticlePhysicsattheSchool There’s anotherdriver:whenastronomers lookat When theLHCturnsonagainnextyear,thereis The LHCisinthemiddleofatwo-yearshutdown To beginwithin2012,wecouldonlysaythatthe The LargeHadronCollider(LHC)isthelargestand time ahead. discoveries attheLHC–wehave suchanexciting 20 years.Mydreamnowistobe partofthenext construction andweexpectto run itforafurther the future:LHCwas20years indesignand discovered theHiggsboson. that onedayIwouldbecomepartoftheteam excitement. Ofcourse,Icouldneverhaveimagined quarks –thatgeneratedalotofpublicityand including particlessuchasthecharmandbottom when therewasanotherphaseofdiscovery– to spendtimeatCERN. has beenveryunderstandingintermsofallowingme before movingbacktoCERNin2007.Mydepartment Then fortenyearsIwasbasedinBirmingham, Research Fellowin1994,basedinitiallyatCERN. W andZbosons. winning experimentthatrevealedtheexistenceof involved inUA1fromthestart.ItwasthisNobelPrize- Birmingham wasoneofonlytwouniversitiesintheUK to doaPhDaftergainingmyfirstdegreeatOxford. collider inthe1980s,thatbroughtmetoUniversity ran atCERN’sSuperProtonSynchrotronaccelerator- energy physicsexperiment,theUA1experimentthat The teamhereatBirminghamisoutstanding. of matter),andit’sgreattobecontinuingthetradition. particle acceleratorsusedtoinvestigatethestructure (a nationalresearchcentreinGermanythatoperated high profileinexperiments,bothatCERNandDESY it wouldgowaybeyondtheStandardModel. the LHC.Itwouldbeahugebreakthrough,because is right,weshouldseesupersymmetricparticlesat four moreHiggsparticlestodiscover.Ifthetheory a lightHiggsboson–infactthereshouldbeatleast each particleintheStandardModel,andalsoallows Much ofthepastyearhasbeen spentlookingto I wasdrawntothisareaofscienceduringthe1970s, I startedinBirminghamasaRoyalSocietyUniversity It wasBirmingham’shighprofileinanotherhigh- Over theyears,Birminghamhasoftenhadavery

9694 © University of Birmingham 2014. Printed on a recycled grade paper containing 100% post-consumer waste.